The North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) Agriculture Program students had the opportunity to attend the NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Judging Conference in Modesto, California from April 12-15, 2023. While there, the students competed in various competitions, such as Livestock Management, Livestock Judging, Equine Management, Soils, and more.

The NDSCS Agriculture students worked hard to prepare for the competitions, and their efforts paid off as they earned multiple individual and team awards. The students won Second Place, 2-year division in the Knowledge Bowl, Third Place, 2-year division in Crops Team, and Third Place, 2-year division in Ag Mechanics. Andrew Sip was named Third High Individual in the Ag Mechanics Contest, 2-year division.

During the trip, the students also had the chance to enjoy hands-on experiences and explore opportunities in agriculture. They toured Burroughs Family Farms, an organic almond, walnut, olive, and sheep farm that utilizes regenerative practices to restore land and soil health.

By sending teams to competitions like the NACTA Judging Conference, the Agriculture program provides students with an invaluable educational experience. “Trips like this allow students a unique opportunity to learn about Agriculture in different regions of the United States and test their knowledge in the areas they are studying. More importantly, they have the opportunity to expand their professional network.”, noted Craig Zimprich, Agriculture Associate Professor and Department Chair.

The NDSCS students who participated in the competitions included:

• Andy Sip, Farm Management, Ada, Minn.
• Cody Morrison, Farm Management, Hunter, N.D.
• Grace Dinius, Agronomy & Ag Business, New England, N.D.
• Carston Hamre, Ag Business, Audubon, Minn.
• Katrina Quick, Farm Management & Agronomy, Borup, Minn.
• Rose Wendell, Liberal Arts – Agriculture emphasis, Lamoure, N.D.
• Eli Sorum, Animal Science & Precision Ag, Fergus Falls, Minn.
• Will Steffes, Farm Management, Arthur, N.D.
• Hunter Albert, Precision Agriculture Technician, Barnesville, Minn.
• Gavin Mautz, Ranch Management, Garrison, N.D.

The NDSCS Agriculture Program provides students with a solid foundation of knowledge in the areas of Ag Business, Animal Science, Farm Management, Ranch Management, Precision Agronomy, and Precision Agriculture Technician. It is a hands-on program area that emphasizes practical learning experiences through lab and field activities, internships, and cooperative education experiences. Students also benefit from the college’s close working relationships with regional and national agricultural businesses, organizations, and state and federal agencies.

For more information about the NDSCS Agriculture program, visit NDSCS.edu/Ag.

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets. 

As an ongoing initiative of North Dakota State College of Science, faculty continue to pursue outreach and collaboration with K-12 partners across the state. By offering opportunities for community organizations to come to campus for educational and exploratory events, NDSCS hopes to continue to be an enriching force in K-12 education and beyond.

As part of this initiative, NDSCS Mathematics and Science department faculty recently hosted a NOVA Fearful Symmetry event at NDSCS Wahpeton for area Cub Scouts in grades 2 – 5. NOVA programs are STEM-related programs to help Cub Scout members gain interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. During this NOVA event, Wahpeton Cub Scouts were introduced to the concept of symmetry, and worked on construction projects with marshmallows and toothpicks, watched a video about symmetry in the world, did crafts where symmetry was used in the design, and toured areas of NDSCS where symmetry in construction techniques (such as arches, stained glass windows, etc) are demonstrated.

Lisa Karch, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer commented on NDSCS’s efforts, saying “Partnerships with our K-12 institutions are integral to our mission as a College. We are proud of the work and collaboration our faculty are doing in providing educational opportunities and outreach in our communities. For many young students, this is their first opportunity to visit NDSCS and imagine themselves as a college student in the future.”

NDSCS looks forward to growing the NOVA event at a larger level in future years, bringing Cub Scouts from across the region, and providing a day camp for these students to experience various STEM-related opportunities. In addition to the Cub Scout NOVA program, NDSCS continues to partner with the K-12 sector by hosting additional community events like Math Olympics, FFA regional competitions, SkillsUSA, youth summer camps, and more.

Go Wildcats! Following season-long wins — including being Mon-Dak Champions, Region XIII Champions, and North Central District Champions — the NJCAA has announced that the NDSCS Women’s Basketball team will be traveling to Lubbock, Texas to play in the DI National Championship Tournament. NDSCS Women’s Basketball finished off the season with a 29-4 record and is the No. 21 seed in the bracket. This is the second year in a row that NDSCS Women’s Basketball is making an appearance in the National Championship tournament.

The NDSCS Alumni Foundation is organizing a send-off for the team on Sunday, March 19th at 8:15 a.m. in the north parking lot of the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center, Wahpeton, N.D. The entire community is invited to join NDSCS in celebrating the team’s accomplishments and sending them off to Texas with well wishes. The team bus will leave at 8:30 a.m. with a parade escort out of town.

Wildcat Women’s Basketball plays their first game of the tournament against Eastern Arizona College at the RIP Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas on Wednesday, March 22nd at 8 p.m. Wildcat fans cheering from home are invited to attend a community watch party at the Wilkin in Breckenridge, Minn. RSVP to the Wilkin is preferred.

Marlee Schweitzer, a Dental Hygiene student at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) has been named a 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,400 students were nominated from more than 1,300 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

“We congratulate Marlee for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”

The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized in the fall.